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 September 2007
Contact: William Billingsley 937-376-4944, ext. 114 billingsley@blackmuseums.org Hampton, VA - Hampton University Museum Director, Vernon S. Courtney was recently elected president of the Association of African American Museums (AAAM). Courtney was installed as the president at the 2007 AAAM Annual Conference, held at the Sheraton Hotel in Birmingham, Alabama, on August 29-September 1. Courtney’s long history with African American museums and artwork made him a well-qualified candidate for the position. He has been a member of the AAAM since 1987 and was formerly the director of the National African American Museum and Cultural Center located in Wilberforce, Ohio. Courtney received his AB degree and M.Ed. from Harvard University and Pennsylvania State University, respectively. At Pennsylvania State, Courtney also completed doctoral coursework in higher education administration. He became the director of the Hampton University Museum in April 2007. AAAM is a non-profit member organization established to support African and African American focused museums nationally and internationally, as well as the professionals who protect, preserve and interpret African and African American art, history and culture. In 2008, the Association will celebrate its 30th anniversary in Chicago, Illinois. Courtney said he is dedicated to the future of AAAM. “I hope over the next three years to significantly increase membership in the organization. I also want to strengthen professional services provided by the organization to its members and member museums.” Established in 1868, the Hampton University Museum is the oldest African American museum in the United States and one of the oldest museums in the state of Virginia. Its holdings feature over 9,500 objects including traditional African, Native American, Asian & Pacific Island art; Fine arts and objects relating to the history of the University. Housed with the Museum collections is the University Archives which holds materials dating to 1868. For more information, visit www.hamptonu.edu/museum. ###  |
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